 |
||||||||||||||
| WHAT IS IT?:
An incurable, very highly contagious viral infection |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| CAUSE:
Genital Herpes is from Herpes simplex virus Type II Oral herpes (cold sores) Herpes simplex virus Type I.  
It is estimated that up to 50% of Genital Herpes is Type I |
||||||||||||||
| TRANSMISSION
Direct contact with infected lesions or secretions. Viral shedding can be present when lesions are not, but there is usually some warning signs that an outbreak is imminent, although this may not always be true. Type I (oral herpes) can be spread to the partner's genital area with oral sex. |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| SYMPTOMS:
FIRST APPEARANCE: 2-20 days after infection. First (primary) attack can last 2-6 weeks, but usually lasts about 3 weeks. 
WOMEN - Red patches with white blister like sores around and in the vagina, anus, lips, nose or mouth. First outbreak (primary attack) may be accompanied by swollen glands in the infected area, low-grade fever, flu-like symptoms. These latter symptoms do not usually happen with recurrences. As the outbreak is getting better the blisters open and then dry. While open you are extremely infectious and can also self-infect other parts of your body. MEN - Red patches with white blister like sores around the penis, anus, lips, nose or mouth. First outbreak (primary attack) may be accompanied by swollen glands in the infected area, low-grade fever, flu-like symptoms. These latter symptoms do not usually happen with recurrences. |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| TESTS:
Visual and Microscopic Exam. Culture and titer for typing of the virus strain and for conclusive testing. |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| TREATMENT:
No treatment for cure. Suppressive therapy, with acyclovir, can be given to reduce the number of recurrences, however this does not CURE the disease. Acyclovir, applied topically at the first sign of an impending outbreak, lessens the severity of symptoms. Oral acyclovir can also be used both for outbreaks and as suppression. |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| CURABLE:
Incurable |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| LIFE TIME EFFECTS
FOR YOU:
Symptoms can recur often or a few times, depending on your body and the strain you have. Usually prodromal (pre-outbreak) symptoms warn of an outbreak and the virus is shed at this time also which makes you infectious. Prodromal symptoms can be tingling in the area, itching, or vague feelings that 'something is there'. |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| COMMENTS:
Genital herpes affects approximately 60 million Americans, there are five hundred thousand to a million new cases per year. Pregnant women with active lesions require c-section. Infants will become infected otherwise and the result can be mental retardation and possible death. |
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
|
Click the Button and this Window Will Close OR Visit Other Areas of this Site by Clicking the Icons
|
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
|
|
